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I think it's 4 episode for the first novel(2 ep for Cecilia and 2 ep for Rin), So I guess it will be 3 volume coverage only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by faiz blaster

Here is a question: in the anime Chifuyu is presented as Ichika's homeroom teacher, yet I was under the impression that the two were in a position were they couldn't maintain contact with each other. Can someone tell me what is Chifuyu status on the manga&LN, please.

It's the same as the anime. She rarely go home because of work or a drinking session with Yamada-sensei, but they stay as teacher/student at school, and close brother/sister at home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeKeR

spoil plz...

so how many girls are gunning for ichika nao? is teh sister included? or the nagasarete airantou style where THE SCHOOL guns after him?

So far he only has 5 girl seriously aiming for him, and one girl teasing him all the way XD. The other girl have interest in him, but not on the level of Airantou where he's the only man in the island(there are other man, but since he's the only one who can pilot IS, he basically has a higher standing than the other man).

His sister is a bro-con? I somehow get the feeling so far it's all only an overprotectiveness of her brother instead of bro-con. For one thing, she doesn't mind Ichika getting close to other girls, doesn't show jealousy, or anything related to tsundere, kuudere, or all the other dere XD

Edit : Vol 6 Get ^_^. Will write some summary once I finish reading it ^^

i think best bet is 2 ep for each girl, vol1 cover 2 girls ( 1- 4 ep ), vol2 another 2 ( 5 - 8 ep) , and then vol3 which will consist 2 ep for side story like at the sea side one ( 9 to 10 ep ), the the last 2 ep will feature the last girl that pilot the red IS and fight the silver robot in the vol 3 ( 11 to 12 ep ).

<<<< It a bit early , I want 2nd season !!! i want the student council president!!!! >>>>

The story starts with an attack by the "unknown" enemy from vol 5 epilogue to US army's base. The one that attack is known to us currently with the code M, and her boss is called Squall(or Scholl, not sure about the spelling). She's using her personal IS, "Silent Zephyr" to attack America's base in order to retrieve the Silver Gospel. She almost succeed, if not because of timely intervention from Natasha Failz(the Silver Gospel's previous pilot) and Elly Collin(again, not sure about the name spelling), the America's representative, using her personal IS, Fang Quake.In the end, although almost defeated by Elly, M manage to escape by exploding her shield bit to buy time.

The story's focus change to Ichika and his girls. They're talking about Ichika's birthday that's coming soon and Ichika invite them to his house to celebrate the birthday with his friend from middle school. It also talk about the upcoming battle race "Cannon ball race" and how everyone's IS is gonna be tuned for high speed movement for the race. Ichika also thinks in monologue about the mysterious group Phantom Task(M and Squall's group, also the girl that try to take Ichika's IS also belong here). The rest is just the usual love comedy stuff about how the girl decide to enroll in the club because of the event in vol 5, and Ichika talking about New Year and hatsumoude and accidentally talks about the Summer Holiday where Houki and him spend together in the shrine that belong to Houki's relative(part of vol 4, and Houki almost confess at that time) and it ends with the usual hellish interrogation

That concludes the part I manage to read before going to bed. Feel free to ask if there's some unclear part or any part that you want to know about. I'll try to answer it tomorrow XD

The author finally came up with an official term for Fallen Nation Corp..

It is 'Phantom Task.'

And here's my impression about Vol.6

Spoiler for ....:

Damn thing ended with a cliffhanger!! I can't believe the author did that...

Now I have to wait another several months to find out what happens in vol.7.

Here is the contents of Vol.6 in a short summary. Be aware of heavy spoiler elements.

Spoiler for contents of Vol.6:

It's more of same pattern.

An episode about Ichika's upcoming birthday, and heroines trying to prepare present for him.

There is an event where Ichika and Laura bump into Ran in a mall.
(in a lingerie shop of all place!)

Also, Ichika's life as vice-president of student council finally begins.

Well, it's just a fancy name for 'Ichika Rental Service,' I'd say...

simply put, any school club can request to 'rent' Ichika for a short while, and he goes to that club and help out....

It was supposed to be something like a make-shift manager, I think.
(Since it's a girls' school, Ichika can't enter any official inter-school match, although I'm curious what school would be brave enough to have a match wth an all-elite(both mentally and physically) school that sits in a middle of international special jurisdiction with heaviest security in the world...)

And despite being featured in the cover illustration, Tatenashi gets minimal coverage in this volume. (Damn!!)

Ichika is rented by Tennis Club, and Cecilia also happens to be in that club.

The tennis club member ends up doing an all-out tournament with the prize being the very 'special service' Ichika gave to Cecilia in vol.3

The reason for the tournament was that Cecilia was bragging about getting the 'special service' to other club members...

And Cecilia ends up winning the tournament... and get that 'special service' for a 2nd time.
(So far, Cecilia, Chihuyu and Tatenashi are the only people who received that service... and Tatenashi kind of forced him to do it to her, being a mischievous character as she is.)

The next episode is the Cannonball Fast, an IS battle race.

The 'intruder strikes in the middle of school match/tournament/festival pattern is repeated once again, but this time, the main target seems to be Cecilia.

Unfortunately, Ichika doesn't get to save the day in this volume.

But more importantly, Vol.6 is all about Cecilia.

Yes, you heard me correctly.

I kind of anticipated that when reading Vol.5 with new enemy being BT test-type #2.

In vol.6, Cecilia finally embrace her awakening moment and does a major power-up.

While being seriously cornered in a battle against BT test-type #2 and its mysterious piloit 'M,'
she finally learns the high-level BT technique called 'The Flexible,' being able to modify the trajectory of beams fired from her BT weapons.

She chase M away with an attack using The Flexible, and the battle ends... with Ichika arriving a little too late. (bummer...)

The last episode is about Ichika's birthday party, which happens to be the same day as Cannonball Fast.

The 5 heroines and Ran, Dan, student council members are invited, and the party goes on.

Cecilia is also present despite heavy injury (heavy, but not fatal... she was stabbed in both her arm by a bayonet) and all seems well...

And here is the summary of Vol.6 epilogue, containing a mega spoiler.

Spoiler for Spoiler warning!!:

At the beginning of the epilogue, Ichika goes outside to a vending machine near his house, buying beverage for everyone

There he encounter a girl, someone who looks exactly like a younger version of Chihuyu.

She turns out to be 'M,' the member of Phantom Task the pilot of BT test-type #2, and she reveals her real name as 'Orimura Madoka.' (!!!)

She also tells Ichika that she is supposed to be at his place, and the volume ends with Madoka shooting Ichika with a handgun after saying that he should die in order to 'set things right.'

Also, here is a refined version of background information and setting about IS that I originally posted at anime thread a while ago.
(also corrected several errors)

It might feels a little light compared to previous post, (and missing quite a lot of topics) since I kind of tried to keep the spoiler element to minimal level.

IS - Introduction

Spoiler for IS - Introduction:

Originally developed as an independent, deep space exploration platform, IS is also capable of atmospheric flight.

The fundamental technologies applied to IS are completely different from those of conventional techs, making it a potentially deadly weapon.

In fact, IS is so powerful compared to conventional weapons that it could render any current military platform obsolete.

Basic Understanding of IS

Spoiler for Basic Understanding of IS:

IS is basically a powered suit, but there are some details that needs to be explained.

It is comprised of core, a central part of IS.

All data regarding components of IS are stored in the core, including frame. (That’s the armor-shaped exterior of IS)

When activated, the data stored inside the core is converted into particles which in turn manifest themselves into physical components.
(The visual effect is vaguely similar to the transformation / summoning featured in magical fantasy work)

In that sense, the IS could be shown as manifesting itself from out of nothing when activated.

The active phase of IS is called 'Open Form' and the process to achieve it is called 'Call-up'

The inactive phase is called 'Closed Form.' and the process to achieve it is called 'Release.'

The Call-up and Release process is done by mental command from the pilot.
(As in Evangelion, perhaps?)

Same rule applies to any additional equipment carried by IS. (※See Equalizer category)

It seems that weapons fielded by IS is not produced in same manner as conventional arms. (Which is either factory-built or hand-crafted)

Perhaps this difference (IS weapons are normally stored inside core as data, and are converted, with assembling process done by IS core) could be the reason why IS is wielding more advanced weapons, compared to those fielded by conventional military platform.
※The exact details regarding this part is not fully explained yet.

Some of the latest ISs are equipped with advanced optical weapons (such as a fully working laser rifle) and other advanced weaponry (such as bits - remotely controlled drone)

Even the conventional-style weapon fielded by IS (such as assault rifle that seemingly shoots conventional projectile) is more powerful than normal counterpart.

※Depending on specific setting on IS, it could retain its shape even after Release, and during Closed Form.

Detailed information about IS

Spoiler for Detailed information about IS:

Primary protection for IS and its pilot is provided through use of energy shield (invisible to naked eye) that could block both physical and optical weapons.

The protection level of IS shield is sufficient to be impenetrable to most conventional weaponry, but it could be penetrated by high-powered IS weaponry.

The basic armor plates of IS offer minimal protection against incoming attack, since any weapon powerful enough to pierce the shield would be also powerful enough to penetrate the armor plate.
(That should explains why the pilots are so scantly covered by armor plates)

However, special equipments such as additional physical/energy shield or augmented heavy armor plate (specially designed to withstand damage) could provides moderate to adequate level of protection.

The integrity of energy shield is maintained unless the IS is depleted of power, but the shield tends to lose its strength when nearing a complete power depletion.
(Same thing applies to all other components such as armor plates. Weapons, especially, tend to have difficulty maintaining the materialized shape when nearing power depletion)

Weapons powerful enough to penetrate the shield is capable of damaging IS or injuring the pilot directly.

IS is also equipped with an ability called Absolute Protection.
(or Absolute Barrier.. the official English term for this is not introduced yet)
This ability protects the pilot from an attack that could cause critical injury or even death to pilot.

The Absolute Protection is activated by IS itself and not by pilot.

If the attack is deemed by the IS as not threatening enough to cause serious injury to its pilot, IS would not activate Absolute Protection ability, even if it result to minor~moderate injury to its pilot.

This ability is said to be able to protect the pilot from any kind of attack, but it also has seriously high power consumption, depleting the power of IS with just single activation.
(In that sense, it is more like pilot safety mechanism rather than combat defense mechanism)

Another advantage for IS is the use of PIC (Passive Inertia Control) technology.

By incorporating PIC, IS could accomplish extreme agility and mobility unparalleled by any conventional platform.

PIC largely absorbs and negates impact shock and protects pilot and IS safe from catastrophic event such as high-speed collision.

PIC is also applied to flight assist, and coupled with gravity control technology, makes IS capable of flight and hovering.

Advanced sensor suit package called Hyper Sensor is another prominent feature of IS.

When the pilot is linked to Hyper Sensor, she receive augmented sensory input data from IS's sensor, directly into 5 sensory system in her body.

Simply put, when piloting an IS, the pilot's senses such as vision are greatly improved.

Using the sensory data input from IS, the pilot gains 360 degree field of view, being able to 'see' directions that are not possible for human body without turning her head.
(Such as behind, directly above and below)

However, because such improved sensory input is much different from normal human body, the pilot must process the input date into something she could comprehend first.
(The speed and efficiency of processing such data decides the effectiveness of IS piloting)

The major difference of IS from hardware metaphor is that all components of IS are stored in the core as data, and are called up (materialize) when needed.

In Closed Form, IS automatically begins recharging its power and repairing any damage it received without requiring outside power source.

It is possible to call up IS by parts; such as calling up arm component only (to block incoming attack with that arm) or thrusters (to gain increased mobility or gain flight capability)

Partial call-up requires some training, but generally it is much faster than calling up the whole IS.

Since the parts of body not covered by IS activation are just vulnerable as normal human body, partial call-up should be used with care.

IS Core

Spoiler for IS Core:

An IS core is the essential part that comprise nucleus of IS.

If you compare the composition of IS to a PC, IS core would be CPU + power supply. In other words, IS can't be activated without a core.

Currently, the technology to create an IS core is not known to the world, and there are maximum of 467 active IS at any given time.

(There is only one person who could create IS core - the scientist who originally created IS - and that person disappeared after completion of 467th core)

The IS core is more than just a machine parts, since it contains some kind of AI-like intellect, able to evolve by itself

The core could be removed from IS frame and transplanted to another IS frame.

Many countries use this feature to upgrade their IS force to the latest spec as peripheral technologies for IS devices are developed.

Since it is not possible to mass produce IS, the R&D for increasing individual performance of IS and training talented, highly skilled pilots are main focus of new arms race of IS era.

Although 10 years have passed since the introduction of IS, the technology regarding the production of IS core remains a mystery.

Other components of IS, however, went through rapid technological advancement and numerous generation changes occurred during past 10 years.

The IS is generally categorized as having 4 generations.

1st Gen. IS : The primary focus is completion of operational IS as a weapon.
2nd Gen. IS : The primary focus is multi-role platform with use of various Equalizers.
3rd Gen. IS : The primary focus is primary anti-IS platform with use of newly developed Image Interface technology and advanced weapons derived from it.

As the story begins, 2nd Gen. IS is nearing its final phase of service, with newly developed 3rd Gen. Prototypes beginning to undergo field tests.

Personal IS & Designated Pilot

Spoiler for Personal IS & Designated Pilot:

Since there are so few active ISs in the world, it is virtually impossible to personally 'own' an IS.

The ownership of IS is limited to national government or international organization with similar size or importance.

However, there are few pilots who are assigned IS for prolonged use.

These pilots are called Designated Pilots, and the IS assigned to them are called personal ISs.
(Since the actual ownership of IS is not transferred to the pilot, it is not a personal IS in a true sense)

One example of Designated Pilot would be the National Representative Pilots.

The reason for having Designated Pilot and Personal IS lies with the very nature of IS itself.

IS possesses self evolving mechanism, and this ability is manifested only when IS is kept paired with a pilot for a prolonged time.

This is due to the nature of IS trying to optimize its ability and efficiency with its pilot.

When change of pilot occurs for some reason, the IS resets the progress and revert to default setting in order to begin a new optimization process for new pilot.
(Think of it as formatting a HDD for every new user)

Once a pilot is registered to an IS, it begins a process called 'Fitting' which is initial phase of optimizing it for that pilot.

This process is also called '1st Shift,' and various adjustment are made in IS, including its exterior shape.

When the Fitting process is complete, the IS gains a new form, which is called '1st Form.'

This is a phase where IS is roughly optimized for the pilot. Still, in this state, the IS operates at much higher efficiency and gains increase in overall performance.

If the IS gains enough experience while operating with same pilot, it eventually reaches another phase shift, this time called '2nd Shift.'

The IS is optimized even further by this process, and the resulting '2nd Form' is considered as a goal for any Designated Pilot.

Personal IS in Closed Form is stored in a form of an accessory worn by the pilot all the time.

In that way, it could be called up whenever needed.

Non Personal ISs are stored differently. In this case, IS retains the physical manifestation of its components even when inactivated, and call-up just activates IS without any significant visible change.

Many ISs that are used for training purpose have this feature disabled since the nature of trainer IS - meaning many different pilots operate it - renders the time consumed by Fitting process and its effectiveness completely useless.

They are also difficult to transport, because they retain their shape and weight even when inactivated.

Battle damage and repair

Spoiler for Battle damage and repair:

When IS receive damage, it automatically tries to repair the damage during its Closed Form period.

It is possible to activate a damaged IS (as long as it has power left) but such action - especially entering combat situation with damaged IS - is highly undesirable, since IS would try to cope with the given situation only with components that are still operational.

As IS gains experience during any situation while it is active, (be it normal training or combat, or even a simple checkup) it records data about its every components and proceeds with optimization process.

Activating a partially damaged IS causes the inoperable components (damaged parts) to stop optimization until it is fully repaired.

For an example, If an IS loses a leg, and is forced into combat it would try to maintain its performance as best as it could without use of a leg.

The resulting data would be implemented throughout its component to improve their efficiency, but the damaged leg would be left out of equation.

So, even when the leg is fully repaired, it would show a discrepancy of efficiency compared to other components, which will continue to compound the situation as the IS keep on operating.

This kind of situation could have serious implication since it would interfere with general optimization process and could even prevent the IS from reaching 2nd Shift.

For that reason, even the most hot-headed pilot tends to refrain from forcing damaged IS into action.

If a Designated Pilot is found out to be preventing her IS from evolving further, she would most likely be replaced with a new pilot, and as honorable as becoming a Designated Pilot could be, getting its position revoked is even more disgraceful - something every Designated Pilot tries to prevent at all cost.

Equalizer

Spoiler for Equalizer:

Equalizer is the name for any kind of add-on equipment for IS.

All IS comes with a basic weaponry, called Preset, but it also has a number of expansion slots that could be used to field additional equipment.

Equipment comes in various forms, such as additional weaponry, thrusters, and augmented armor plates.

These Equalizers need to be installed into IS first.

Since every IS core is unique and each of them has its individuality, (one might say personality) it is possible for a IS to reject installation of certain Equalizer.

The Equalizers could be assembled into package type for an IS, designed to fulfill a specific task, as long as there are enough expansion slots left.
(A bombardment package would consist of something like following sets of Equalizers : Long-range cannon + Stabilizer device + Augmented armor plate)

Equalizer Package tends to be designed for a specific IS, since components such as additional thrusters or armor plates would have to fit the IS.
(For the same reason, hand-held weapon type Equalizers tend to be more compatible with other IS)

Equalizers that are attached to IS (such as thrusters or armor plates) are called up simultaneously with IS, but hand-held weapon type could be called up while in activation.

In this way, the pilot doesn't have to worry about carrying numerous equipments during activation. She just needs to call up the weapon that is needed at any given time.

Equalizer, just like an IS in closed form, is called up by pilot's thought process.

It is possible to call up by announcing the name of Equalizer, (or IS) but this is only because the announcing act helps the pilot to concentrate her thought (which is the actual command)

The 'announcing' way is considered as a method for inexperienced pilot who has difficulty with call-up just with mental command.

Also, verbally announcing the Equalizer or IS basically ends up warning the opponents, and verbal announcement takes rather long time compared to the time required by experienced pilot to mentally command call-up, which takes fraction of seconds.

Since Equalizer is materialization of installed data within IS (This is same for IS) even if it is damaged or destroyed during combat, it is not truly 'gone,' but the it does require maintenance or restoration just like damaged IS, and is rendered ineffective or inoperable during those period.

Also, here is a refined version of background information and setting about IS that I originally posted at anime thread a while ago.
(also corrected several errors)

It might feels a little light compared to previous post, (and missing quite a lot of topics) since I kind of tried to keep the spoiler element to minimal level.

IS - Introduction

Spoiler for IS - Introduction:

Originally developed as an independent, deep space exploration platform, IS is also capable of atmospheric flight.

The fundamental technologies applied to IS are completely different from those of conventional techs, making it a potentially deadly weapon.

In fact, IS is so powerful compared to conventional weapons that it could render any current military platform obsolete.

Basic Understanding of IS

Spoiler for Basic Understanding of IS:

IS is basically a powered suit, but there are some details that needs to be explained.

It is comprised of core, a central part of IS.

All data regarding components of IS are stored in the core, including frame. (Thatís the armor-shaped exterior of IS)

When activated, the data stored inside the core is converted into particles which in turn manifest themselves into physical components.
(The visual effect is vaguely similar to the transformation / summoning featured in magical fantasy work)

In that sense, the IS could be shown as manifesting itself from out of nothing when activated.

The active phase of IS is called 'Open Form' and the process to achieve it is called 'Call-up'

The inactive phase is called 'Closed Form.' and the process to achieve it is called 'Release.'

The Call-up and Release process is done by mental command from the pilot.
(As in Evangelion, perhaps?)

Same rule applies to any additional equipment carried by IS. (※See Equalizer category)

It seems that weapons fielded by IS is not produced in same manner as conventional arms. (Which is either factory-built or hand-crafted)

Perhaps this difference (IS weapons are normally stored inside core as data, and are converted, with assembling process done by IS core) could be the reason why IS is wielding more advanced weapons, compared to those fielded by conventional military platform.
※The exact details regarding this part is not fully explained yet.

Some of the latest ISs are equipped with advanced optical weapons (such as a fully working laser rifle) and other advanced weaponry (such as bits - remotely controlled drone)

Even the conventional-style weapon fielded by IS (such as assault rifle that seemingly shoots conventional projectile) is more powerful than normal counterpart.

※Depending on specific setting on IS, it could retain its shape even after Release, and during Closed Form.

Detailed information about IS

Spoiler for Detailed information about IS:

Primary protection for IS and its pilot is provided through use of energy shield (invisible to naked eye) that could block both physical and optical weapons.

The protection level of IS shield is sufficient to be impenetrable to most conventional weaponry, but it could be penetrated by high-powered IS weaponry.

The basic armor plates of IS offer minimal protection against incoming attack, since any weapon powerful enough to pierce the shield would be also powerful enough to penetrate the armor plate.
(That should explains why the pilots are so scantly covered by armor plates)

However, special equipments such as additional physical/energy shield or augmented heavy armor plate (specially designed to withstand damage) could provides moderate to adequate level of protection.

The integrity of energy shield is maintained unless the IS is depleted of power, but the shield tends to lose its strength when nearing a complete power depletion.
(Same thing applies to all other components such as armor plates. Weapons, especially, tend to have difficulty maintaining the materialized shape when nearing power depletion)

Weapons powerful enough to penetrate the shield is capable of damaging IS or injuring the pilot directly.

IS is also equipped with an ability called Absolute Protection.
(or Absolute Barrier.. the official English term for this is not introduced yet)
This ability protects the pilot from an attack that could cause critical injury or even death to pilot.

This ability is said to be able to protect the pilot from any kind of attack, but it also has seriously high power consumption, depleting the power of IS with just single activation.
(In that sense, it is more like pilot safety mechanism rather than combat defense mechanism)

Another advantage for IS is the use of PIC (Passive Inertia Control) technology.

By incorporating PIC, IS could accomplish extreme agility and mobility unparalleled by any conventional platform.

PIC largely absorbs and negates impact shock and protects pilot and IS safe from catastrophic event such as high-speed collision.

PIC is also applied to flight assist, and coupled with gravity control technology, makes IS capable of flight and hovering.

Advanced sensor suit package called Hyper Sensor is another prominent feature of IS.

When the pilot is linked to Hyper Sensor, she receive augmented sensory input data from IS's sensor, directly into 5 sensory system in her body.

Simply put, when piloting an IS, the pilot's senses such as vision are greatly improved.

Using the sensory data input from IS, the pilot gains 360 degree field of view, being able to 'see' directions that are not possible for human body without turning her head.
(Such as behind, directly above and below)

However, because such improved sensory input is much different from normal human body, the pilot must process the input date into something she could comprehend first.
(The speed and efficiency of processing such data decides the effectiveness of IS piloting)

The major difference of IS from hardware metaphor is that all components of IS are stored in the core as data, and are called up (materialize) when needed.

In Closed Form, IS automatically begins recharging its power and repairing any damage it received without requiring outside power source.

It is possible to call up IS by parts; such as calling up arm component only (to block incoming attack with that arm) or thrusters (to gain increased mobility or gain flight capability)

Partial call-up requires some training, but generally it is much faster than calling up the whole IS.

Since the parts of body not covered by IS activation are just vulnerable as normal human body, partial call-up should be used with care.

IS Core

Spoiler for IS Core:

An IS core is the essential part that comprise nucleus of IS.

If you compare the composition of IS to a PC, IS core would be CPU + power supply. In other words, IS can't be activated without a core.

Currently, the technology to create an IS core is not known to the world, and there are maximum of 467 active IS at any given time.

(There is only one person who could create IS core - the scientist who originally created IS - and that person disappeared after completion of 467th core)

The IS core is more than just a machine parts, since it contains some kind of AI-like intellect, able to evolve by itself

The core could be removed from IS frame and transplanted to another IS frame.

Many countries use this feature to upgrade their IS force to the latest spec as peripheral technologies for IS devices are developed.

Since it is not possible to mass produce IS, the R&D for increasing individual performance of IS and training talented, highly skilled pilots are main focus of new arms race of IS era.

Although 10 years have passed since the introduction of IS, the technology regarding the production of IS core remains a mystery.

Other components of IS, however, went through rapid technological advancement and numerous generation changes occurred during past 10 years.

The IS is generally categorized as having 4 generations.

1st Gen. IS : The primary focus is completion of operational IS as a weapon.
2nd Gen. IS : The primary focus is multi-role platform with use of various Equalizers.
3rd Gen. IS : The primary focus is primary anti-IS platform with use of newly developed Image Interface technology and advanced weapons derived from it.

As the story begins, 2nd Gen. IS is nearing its final phase of service, with newly developed 3rd Gen. Prototypes beginning to undergo field tests.

Personal IS & Designated Pilot

Spoiler for Personal IS & Designated Pilot:

Since there are so few active ISs in the world, it is virtually impossible to personally 'own' an IS.

The ownership of IS is limited to national government or international organization with similar size or importance.

However, there are few pilots who are assigned IS for prolonged use.

These pilots are called Designated Pilots, and the IS assigned to them are called personal ISs.
(Since the actual ownership of IS is not transferred to the pilot, it is not a personal IS in a true sense)

One example of Designated Pilot would be the National Representative Pilots.

The reason for having Designated Pilot and Personal IS lies with the very nature of IS itself.

IS possesses self evolving mechanism, and this ability is manifested only when IS is kept paired with a pilot for a prolonged time.

This is due to the nature of IS trying to optimize its ability and efficiency with its pilot.

When change of pilot occurs for some reason, the IS resets the progress and revert to default setting in order to begin a new optimization process for new pilot.
(Think of it as formatting a HDD for every new user)

Once a pilot is registered to an IS, it begins a process called 'Fitting' which is initial phase of optimizing it for that pilot.

This process is also called '1st Shift,' and various adjustment are made in IS, including its exterior shape.

When the Fitting process is complete, the IS gains a new form, which is called '1st Form.'

This is a phase where IS is roughly optimized for the pilot. Still, in this state, the IS operates at much higher efficiency and gains increase in overall performance.

If the IS gains enough experience while operating with same pilot, it eventually reaches another phase shift, this time called '2nd Shift.'

The IS is optimized even further by this process, and the resulting '2nd Form' is considered as a goal for any Designated Pilot.

Personal IS in Closed Form is stored in a form of an accessory worn by the pilot all the time.

In that way, it could be called up whenever needed.

Non Personal ISs are stored differently. In this case, IS retains the physical manifestation of its components even when inactivated, and call-up just activates IS without any significant visible change.

Many ISs that are used for training purpose have this feature disabled since the nature of trainer IS - meaning many different pilots operate it - renders the time consumed by Fitting process and its effectiveness completely useless.

They are also difficult to transport, because they retain their shape and weight even when inactivated.

Battle damage and repair

Spoiler for Battle damage and repair:

When IS receive damage, it automatically tries to repair the damage during its Closed Form period.

It is possible to activate a damaged IS (as long as it has power left) but such action - especially entering combat situation with damaged IS - is highly undesirable, since IS would try to cope with the given situation only with components that are still operational.

As IS gains experience during any situation while it is active, (be it normal training or combat, or even a simple checkup) it records data about its every components and proceeds with optimization process.

Activating a partially damaged IS causes the inoperable components (damaged parts) to stop optimization until it is fully repaired.

For an example, If an IS loses a leg, and is forced into combat it would try to maintain its performance as best as it could without use of a leg.

The resulting data would be implemented throughout its component to improve their efficiency, but the damaged leg would be left out of equation.

So, even when the leg is fully repaired, it would show a discrepancy of efficiency compared to other components, which will continue to compound the situation as the IS keep on operating.

This kind of situation could have serious implication since it would interfere with general optimization process and could even prevent the IS from reaching 2nd Shift.

For that reason, even the most hot-headed pilot tends to refrain from forcing damaged IS into action.

If a Designated Pilot is found out to be preventing her IS from evolving further, she would most likely be replaced with a new pilot, and as honorable as becoming a Designated Pilot could be, getting its position revoked is even more disgraceful - something every Designated Pilot tries to prevent at all cost.

Equalizer

Spoiler for Equalizer:

Equalizer is the name for any kind of add-on equipment for IS.

All IS comes with a basic weaponry, called Preset, but it also has a number of expansion slots that could be used to field additional equipment.

Equipment comes in various forms, such as additional weaponry, thrusters, and augmented armor plates.

These Equalizers need to be installed into IS first.

Since every IS core is unique and each of them has its individuality, (one might say personality) it is possible for a IS to reject installation of certain Equalizer.

The Equalizers could be assembled into package type for an IS, designed to fulfill a specific task, as long as there are enough expansion slots left.
(A bombardment package would consist of something like following sets of Equalizers : Long-range cannon + Stabilizer device + Augmented armor plate)

Equalizer Package tends to be designed for a specific IS, since components such as additional thrusters or armor plates would have to fit the IS.
(For the same reason, hand-held weapon type Equalizers tend to be more compatible with other IS)

Equalizers that are attached to IS (such as thrusters or armor plates) are called up simultaneously with IS, but hand-held weapon type could be called up while in activation.

In this way, the pilot doesn't have to worry about carrying numerous equipments during activation. She just needs to call up the weapon that is needed at any given time.

Equalizer, just like an IS in closed form, is called up by pilot's thought process.

It is possible to call up by announcing the name of Equalizer, (or IS) but this is only because the announcing act helps the pilot to concentrate her thought (which is the actual command)

The 'announcing' way is considered as a method for inexperienced pilot who has difficulty with call-up just with mental command.

Also, verbally announcing the Equalizer or IS basically ends up warning the opponents, and verbal announcement takes rather long time compared to the time required by experienced pilot to mentally command call-up, which takes fraction of seconds.

Since Equalizer is materialization of installed data within IS (This is same for IS) even if it is damaged or destroyed during combat, it is not truly 'gone,' but the it does require maintenance or restoration just like damaged IS, and is rendered ineffective or inoperable during those period.

Thanks VERY MUCH! I needed this to understand more about the mechanics

At the beginning of the epilogue, Ichika goes outside to a vending machine near his house, buying beverage for everyone

There he encounter a girl, someone who looks exactly like a younger version of Chihuyu.

She turns out to be 'M,' the member of Phantom Task the pilot of BT test-type #2, and she reveals her real name as 'Orimura Madoka.' (!!!)

She also tells Ichika that she is supposed to be at his place, and the volume ends with Madoka shooting Ichika with a handgun after saying that he should die in order to 'set things right.'

Spoiler for -_-:

Boom! Headshot. The End.

OK, not really, would be devastating to the poor readers. Ichika really has family issues if this person really is related. The easiest option is being his sister I guess. But with only 13 episodes or so in the anime, we won't ever get to this part unless they add a couple of seasons. Well, despite being hopelessly generic, this is the kind of show that has a lot of mass appeal / potential to be popular with the audience, so chances for that are pretty high I think.

In any case, thank you very much for all those detailed and extensive spoilers. Most of us wouldn't otherwise be privy to all of that info since not all of it is gonna get animated probably.

Here is another secret regarding Tatenashi, the student council president, finally revealed in vol.6

She is...

Spoiler for Spoiler warning!!:

She turns out to be the representative pilot for Russia, not a candidate.

Unlike representative candidate which could be more than one, (and is most likely more than one all the time) there is only one representative pilot for each country.

No wonder she is so strong...

It seems that she is strong enough to earn a special right to temporarily choose her national affiliation, which enables her to become representative pilot for any country
(I'd presume that the goverenment that wants her as a pilot would have to make a formal request first...and she probably has choice to either accept or reject it)

To avoid posting spoilers in the anime discussion thread, a question I thought was fit for this thread.

Spoiler:

We already know the anime has 12 episodes and 3 episodes equivalents to one novel volume with how they're going.

Would that mean the anime would animate volume 4's sidestories before animating v3's Silvio Gospel arc?

Here's what I think.

Spoiler for Contains spoiler:

Well, they could do that, but since the timeline for the side stories in vol.4 takes place after the event of Vol.3, most stories in vol.4 referes to events in vol.3.

On top of that, some of the mjor events in vol.4 are the direct result of something that happened in vol.3, so if they wanted to put Vol.4 stories before Vol.3 contents, they would have to go through a lot of trouble.

For an example, in one of the stories in Vol.4, the 5 heroines consider Chihuyu a rival because of what she said in Vol.3.
Another example is Houki's state of mind in a Vol.4 story that is caused by prior events, and the most significant one occurs in Vol.3.

Personally, I can't think of a way to make those stories fit nicely if they happen do vol.4 before vol.3...

They don't necessarily have to confine each volume to equal number of episode.

And I just realized that vol.2 (The original Japanese version) is a lot thicker than the other volumes... perhaps Vol.2 could be 4 episode long?

Maybe they would do it this way.

Vol.1 -> EP01~03
Vol.2 -> EP04~07
Vol.3 -> EP08~10
Vol.4 -> EP11~12 (Vol.04 features 4 short stories, so they could do 2 stories for each episode, divided by intermission.